LSU offense explosive thanks to balance

Zach Mettenberger averages 276.9 passing yards per game for the LSU offense, second in the Southeastern Conference. Jeremy Hill gets 115.3 rushing yards per game, also second in the conference. The combination adds up to a potent formula for the Tigers, who average 40.2 points per game, ranking 15th nationally.

Gerald Herbert | The Associated Press

By D.C. ReevesSports Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 11:59 p.m.

Nine points were enough to win this game two years ago.

The stats suggest that won’t be enough firepower this time around.

Alabama’s stout defense has a challenge on its hands in a revamped LSU offense that has been reinvigorated by new coordinator Cam Cameron, one of the most improved quarterbacks in the nation and a host of productive skill players.

“Both quarterback positions have evolved and have the ability to throw it,” LSU coach Les Miles said when asked to compare offenses from the “Game of the Century” 9-6 win in 2011 and this year.

“I think that there’s still tremendous defenses on the field, but I think there’s more offense as well,” he said.

LSU (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference), with a traditional big-back, run-first offense like Alabama’s, has proved it can threaten from the ground or through the air this season. LSU’s offense ranks among the top 31 nationally in rushing and passing, leading to a unit that ranks 15th nationally in scoring (40.2 points per game).

“They’ve got tremendous balance, and I think that’s what makes it very, very difficult to defend the quality of the running game and then the explosiveness of the passing game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday. “I think it’s one of the best offensive teams probably that we’ve faced all year.”

That starts with quarterback Zach Mettenberger. An inconsistent starter with pedestrian numbers a season ago, Mettenberger now ranks second in the SEC in passing yards per game (276.9) behind defending Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.

“I think that Zach’s played extremely well all year long. Obviously, with more experience he makes great decisions,” Saban said. “He played extremely well against us last year. But he’s played consistently well all season long.”

Mettenberger is flanked by 235-pound running back Jeremy Hill, who ranks second in the SEC in rushing (115.3 yards per game) and a duo of receivers — Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry — who have combined to haul in 1,891 yards and 16 of Mettenberger’s 19 touchdown passes.

“I think there’s a confidence, there’s a comfort, becoming more comfortable with the call,” Miles said, “and I think there’s a balance that’s being reached when you see us throw the football, we can do both. We can run it, we can throw it.

LSU’s offense will need to figure out a way to get by Alabama; the Tigers have scored a combined 26 points in their past three meetings against the Crimson Tide.

“We’re going to have to get our offense in gear and play well from the start,” Miles said Wednesday. “But it’s going to take four quarters.”

<p>Nine points were enough to win this game two years ago.</p><p>The stats suggest that won't be enough firepower this time around.</p><p>Alabama's stout defense has a challenge on its hands in a revamped LSU offense that has been reinvigorated by new coordinator Cam Cameron, one of the most improved quarterbacks in the nation and a host of productive skill players.</p><p>“Both quarterback positions have evolved and have the ability to throw it,” LSU coach Les Miles said when asked to compare offenses from the “Game of the Century” 9-6 win in 2011 and this year.</p><p>“I think that there's still tremendous defenses on the field, but I think there's more offense as well,” he said.</p><p>LSU (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference), with a traditional big-back, run-first offense like Alabama's, has proved it can threaten from the ground or through the air this season. LSU's offense ranks among the top 31 nationally in rushing and passing, leading to a unit that ranks 15th nationally in scoring (40.2 points per game).</p><p>“They've got tremendous balance, and I think that's what makes it very, very difficult to defend the quality of the running game and then the explosiveness of the passing game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday. “I think it's one of the best offensive teams probably that we've faced all year.”</p><p>That starts with quarterback Zach Mettenberger. An inconsistent starter with pedestrian numbers a season ago, Mettenberger now ranks second in the SEC in passing yards per game (276.9) behind defending Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.</p><p>“I think that Zach's played extremely well all year long. Obviously, with more experience he makes great decisions,” Saban said. “He played extremely well against us last year. But he's played consistently well all season long.”</p><p>Mettenberger is flanked by 235-pound running back Jeremy Hill, who ranks second in the SEC in rushing (115.3 yards per game) and a duo of receivers — Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry — who have combined to haul in 1,891 yards and 16 of Mettenberger's 19 touchdown passes.</p><p>“I think there's a confidence, there's a comfort, becoming more comfortable with the call,” Miles said, “and I think there's a balance that's being reached when you see us throw the football, we can do both. We can run it, we can throw it.</p><p>LSU's offense will need to figure out a way to get by Alabama; the Tigers have scored a combined 26 points in their past three meetings against the Crimson Tide.</p><p>“We're going to have to get our offense in gear and play well from the start,” Miles said Wednesday. “But it's going to take four quarters.”</p><p><i>Reach D.C. Reeves at dc.reeves@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0196.</i></p>